LUCKNOW, Oct. 30 -- Uttar Pradesh recovered strongly from a 110-run first-innings deficit, but hosts Hyderabad remained firmly in control of their Under-23 Col CK Nayudu Trophy Elite Group B match, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Thursday. At stumps on Day 3, Hyderabad required just 120 runs to win with eight wickets in hand, with the final day scheduled for Friday. Uttar Pradesh were dismissed for 168 in their first innings, with Sameer Rizvi top-scoring on 40. Hyderabad's Nishanth S took 5/30 and Pranav Varma claimed three wickets as the visitors struggled to build partnerships. Hyderabad then seized the advantage by making 278 in 84.4 overs, establishing a first-innings lead of 110. Pranav Varma led the way with 79, Wafi Kachchhi made 53, and A. Avanish Rao and P. Raghava added useful thirties. Vipraj Nigam was Uttar Pradesh's most successful bowler with 6/104, while Prashant Veer took 3/99. Facing a substantial deficit, Uttar Pradesh produced a much improved batting display in their second innings on Thursday. After slipping to 115/3, they compiled 303 in 93.4 overs, setting Hyderabad a target of 194. Kavya Teotia anchored the innings with a patient 53 from 87 balls, while Sameer Rizvi made 47 and wicketkeeper Kaartikaya Singh contributed 44. The lower order ensured Uttar Pradesh gave themselves a chance of defending a competitive total. Vipraj Nigam struck a brisk 56 from 51 deliveries, hitting eight fours and two sixes, while Aquib Khan added a quick five as the innings closed at 303. Pranav Varma again led Hyderabad's attack with 5/105, and Nishanth S finished with 4/59. Hyderabad's chase began unevenly. Pattapu Raghava fell for two, leg-before to Ayush Choudhary, and Aaron George was dismissed for 15 after being caught by Adarsh Singh off Vipraj Nigam. At 30/2, Uttar Pradesh briefly sensed an opening. However, captain Aman Rao and wicketkeeper Aravelly Avanish Rao calmed the innings with an unbroken third-wicket partnership. Aman Rao was unbeaten on 30 from 43 balls, while Avanish Rao reached 24 not out from just 13 deliveries, striking a four and a six. Their stand carried Hyderabad to 74/2 in 23 overs at stumps. With 120 still needed and eight wickets intact, Hyderabad hold the upper hand heading into Friday's final day. Aman Rao and Avanish Rao will look to finish the job quickly, while Uttar Pradesh must take early wickets to keep their unlikely victory hopes alive....